Motor-actuated support device



Se t. 10, 1963 L. S- $UOZZO 3,

MOTOR-ACTUATED SUPPORT DEVICE Filed Aug. 9.1960

INVENTOR. LEONARD $.SUOZZO @Mw'k ATTORNEY 7/" '1 v I v 57 s United States Patent 3,103,333 MOTOR-ACTUATED SUPPORT DEVICE Leonard S. Suozzo,-Hackensack, NJ. (50 Church St., New York 7, N.Y.) Filed Aug. 9, 1960, Ser. No. 48,514

Claims. (Cl. 24858) This invention relates to support devices and, more par- 3,103,333 Patented Sept. 10, 1963 vention. It will 'be apparent to persons skilled in the art from the ensuing detailed description and the accompanyticularly, to a device for propenly and adequately sup-;

porting a load and [for permittingrniovement oi the load as may be required by conditions at a particular time.

The invention pertains, in one of its more specific aspects,

to a motor-actuated support device having improved.

features of construction and design. I

The device of this invention may be advantageously used in many locations to support various types of loads. It is .in anindividual span may expand and contract substantially due to variations in ambient temperature and use condi-' tions. This results in corresponding variations in both the sag and the tension of the wire in a span. The sag of the who may vary from ia'few inches to 24 inches, or more, and the tension may vary correspondingly. A number of items of equipment, such as pulleys, chains and counterweights have been employed heretofore to provide requisite support for 'thewi'res. These items have not been entirely satisfactory, however.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a motor-actuated support device having improved structural and operational characteristics;

. Another object of theinvention is to provide a support device that is adapted to properly support a load and simultaneously permit substantial travel of the load, as required. by conditions at a particular time. i

It is another object ofthe invention to provide a support device including three principal units or means, namely (1) a 'pantograph unit'comprising a plurality of links which are pivotally interconnected to form at least one ext ensible and con-tractible frame, one end of the pantograph unit being adapted to be secured to a support, such as an overhead beam, and the other end being connected to a loadcarrying unit, (2.) an actuating means comprising rotary driving means pivotally connected to .at least one of the links, a rod connected to the driving means and pivotally connected to at least another link, and means responsive to rotation of the driving means for imparting longitudinal movement to the rod and corresponding extension or contraction to the pantograph unit, and (3) means responsive to variations in a condition of the load that is adapted to act on the load carrying unit, such as variations in the force applied by the load to the load-carrying unit, for alternately placing the driving means into and out of active service.

'A further object of the invention is to provide a motoractuated support device that is simple in design; that is rugged and durable in construction; that'is reasonable in ing drawing that; while the supporting force of the device may remain substantially constant, anyohange in overall length of the device and, therefore, in the travel of the load, is direct proportion to the number of linkage frames or s'ectionswhich are present in the pantograph unit. Thus, for each increment of extension or contraction of 101116 frame of the pantograph unit, the load travels a distance equal to such increment times the number of frames in the pantograph unit, where the frames are of equal size and like configuration.

Another feature of the invention resides in the fact that the actuating motor is adapted to be placed into and out of active service and cooperate with the pantograph unit to impart a supporting force to a load in responseto variations in a condition of the load, such as (a) variations in the force applied bythe load to the loadcarrying unit,

. conditions of the load as will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

Various types of motors may be employed in the actuating means of this invention. While an electric motor is preferred for reasons of compactness, lightweight and economy, it will be appreciated that other forms of motors or prime movers, such as a fluid motor, may be used in place of an electric motor, if'idesired. The detailed description and'the annexed drawing disclose a form of the invention having, by way of example, a reversible electric motor incorporated therein.

The enumerated objects and other objects, together with the advantages of the invention, will be readily understood by persons trained in the art from the (following detailed description and the accompanying drawing which respectively describe and illustrate a preferred and recommended torm of this invention.

In the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is, a view in front elevation of a motor-actuated support device constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the support devic shown inFIG. 1 and as observed from the right of FIG.

hand

manufacturing, installationand maintenance costs; and

that is capable of performing its intended i fiunctions in an efficient and trouble-free manner.

The incorporation of a pantograph unit in my support device constitutes one of the important features of the in- FIG. 3 is a view in enlargement taken along line 33 of FIG. 1, certain parts being broken away for better illustration.

Referringinitially to FlGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, I have illustrated therein an overhead supporting structure, such as a beam 5, that carn'esa T-shaped bracket 6. A pantograph unit P is suspended from bracket 6 by a pivot pin 7. The pantograph unit includes a plurality of links, namely links Ll, L-2, L3, L4, L5 and L6. Links Ll and LZ are pivotally connected to each other and to bracket 6 by pin 7. Link Ll is pivotally connected to link L-3 by a pin 8 having a central part 9 of enlarged diameter which maintains these links in spaced-apart relation as shown in FIG. 2. Link L-2 is pivotally connected to link L4 by a pin 10; link L4 is pivotally connected to link L3 by a pin 11 and to link L5 by a pin 12; link L-3 is pivotally connected to link L-6 by a pin 13; and link L5 is pivotally connected to link L6 by a pin I 14. As in the case of pin 8, pins 10 through 14 are provided with central parts of enlarged diameter which are pins 8 and 11 and the portion of link L4 between pins 10 and 11 form an upper frame. Similarly, the portion of link L-3 between pins 11 and 13, the portion of link L-4 between pins 11 and 12 and links L-S and L-6 form a lower frame. Thus, the pantograph unit, as illustrated, forms two frames having certain common parts. The pantograph unit is disposed vertically and is extensible and contractible in a vertical direction. Extension or contraction of one of the frames causes corresponding extension or contraction of the other frame. The referredto frames are in the nature of equilateral parallelograms. Any increment of vertical extension or contraction of one of the frames results in twice such extension or contraction for the entire illustrated pantograph unit. In other words, the total extension or contraction of the pantograph unit equals the extension or contraction of one of the frames times-the number of frames. It will be appreciated that the pantograph unit may include any desired number of frames, depending on conditions of use, the size and configuration of individual frames and the desired total travel. 1

Referring next to FIG. 3, it will be observed that each of pins 12 and 13 is substantially longer than the other pins. Pin 12 is provided with a plurality of spacing collars'15, 16, 17 and 18 while pin 13 is provided with corresponding spacing collars 19, 20, 21 and 22.

All the pivot pins are substantially parallel and spaced apart. Pins 7, 11 and 14 are vertically aligned. A coupling rod 24 is pivotally connected to pin 14 and depends therefrom. Secured to rod 24 is a downwardly projecting load-carrying unit 25.

T he device of this invention includes an actuating means or motorized unit M which is operatively connected to the pantograph unit. Unit M includes a guide tube or cylinder 26 having a bent extension 27 which is pivotally connected to the pantograph unit by means of pin 12 (FIGS. 1 and 3). This cylinder is provided with breather ports 28. Slidable in cylinder 26 is a plunger 30 having a bent extension 31 that is pivotally connected to the pantograph unit by pin 13. A shelf or platform '32 is affixed to cylinder 28 and carries an electric motor 33 and a reducing gear unit 34 which is coupled directly to.

the motor. Motor 33 may be of any suitable known reversible type and is adapted to be connected to a source of electric energy supply (not shown). The reducing gear unit is provided with a rotary drive shaft 35 which carries a driving gear 36.

A coupler 37 joins cylinder 26 to a driven gear unit 40 and maintains these parts in the illustrated spaced relation (FIG. 3). Unit 40 includes a cylinder 41 having an integral and coaxial driven gear 42 which meshes with driving gear 36. Cylinder 41 has a closed end 43 which is provided with a central tapped opening 44. A rectilinear rod '45 has a threaded left end portion 46 which engages tap 44 and which is provided with a nut 47 that is positioned within cylinder 41. This cylinder is provided with suitable openings (not shown) to permit access to not 47. The right end of rod 45, as viewed in FIG. 3, is in the form of an eye 48 that is positioned between the adjacent ends of links L-3 and L 6 and that is pivotally connected to pin 13 of the pantograph unit. A second rod 50 includes an eye 51 which is positioned between the adjacent ends of links L-4 and L-S and is pivotally connected to pin 12 of the pantograph unit. The other end of rod 50 is cooperatively associated with cylinder 41 in a manner to permit rotation of that cylinder relative to this rod but prevent relative axial movement between these parts.

The device of the present invention includes a control mechanism 52 which is responsive to variations in one or more of the indicated conditions of the load, such as variations in the force applied by a load to the device. Mechanism 52 is interposed between and connected to rod 24 and load-carrying unit 25, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. This mechanism actuates an electric switch means (not shown) which-is connected Ito motor 33 by electric leads 53 to place the motor into or out of active service, as required by conditions at a particular time.

Mechanism 52 may be of any suitable type known to the art. It may, for example, be generallyv the same or similar in construction to that disclosed in I. K. Wood Patent No. 2,248,730, granted July 8, 1941, for Support Device. It is deemed sufiicient for the purposes of this application to point out that mechanism 52 is responsive to variations in a condition of the load to open or close an electric switch means (not shown) whereby to place motor 33 into and out of active service in a manner similar to that disclosed in said Wood patent.

For the purpose of outlining the operation of the illustrated form of the invention, it is assumed that the parts are in the relative position shown in the drawing and that a load (not shown) is connected toand suspended be low load-carrying unit 25. It is also assumed that motor 33 is connected to a convenient source of electric energy supply (not shown). At such time as a condition of the load, such as the force exerted by the load on the device, changes a predetermined extent, mechanism 52 completes. the electric circuit to motor 33 thereby placing motorized unit M into active service. This results in vertical extension or contraction of pantograph unit P, depending on the direction of rotation of motor 33. It will be apparent from an examination of FIGS. 1 and 3 that rotation of the motor in one direction causes shaft 35, driving :gear 36-, driven gear 42 and cylinder 41 to rotate in corresponding directions whereby to move rod 45 to the left, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, and effect vertical extension of the pantograph unit a sufficient distance to compensate for the change. Rotation of motor 33 in a reverse direction results in corresponding reverse in tation of shaft 35, driving gear 36, driven gear 42 and cylinder 41. This effects movement of rod 45 toward the right and corresponding vertical contraction of the pantograph unit. The parts of motorized unit M are so constructed and arranged as to assure dependable and trouble-free operations of the device in the manner out lined herein.

The term pantograph is used in this description and the accompanying claims toidentify extensible and contractible linkage arrangements of the general type shown in the drawing. The pantograph unit may include any number of frames to effect desired travel- While the frames of the pantographunit are preferably identical in size and in the form of equilateral parallelograms, it should be borne in mind that individual frames may dif- =fer in size and may have configurations other than a parallelogram. Y

The illustrated support device of the invention is shown as being suspended from an overhead. supporting strucre to carry a load which exerts a downward pulling force. The device may be inverted from the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and used as a floor type support with the load applied above and acting downwardly on the device.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation, objects and advantages' of my present invention will be readily comprehended by persons skilled in the art, without further description. It is to be clearly understood, however, that various changes in the constnuctions described above and illustrated in the drawing may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, it being intended that all matter contained in the description or shown in'the drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative only and'not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a support device of the character described, a linkage unit including a plurality of links, said links being obliquely positioned and pivotally interconnected to form at least one substantially vertically disposed open frame, a load-carrying unit connected to one end of the linkage unit, the other end of the linkage unit being adapted to be connected to a support, acuating means connected to the linkage unit for effecting vertical extension and contraction thereof, said actuating means comprising rotary driving means pivotally connected to at least one of the links, means including a rod connected to the driving means and pivotally connected to at least one other link, and means responsive to rotary movement of the driving means for imparting longitudinal movement to the rod, and means responsive to variations in a condition of a load that is adapted to act on the load-carrying unit, such as variations in the force applied to the load-carrying unit, for alternately placing the driving means into and out of active service.

2. A support device according to claim 1 wherein the driving means is pivotally connected to at least one link of the 'frame and the rod is pivotally connected to at least one other link of the frame.

3. In a support device of the character described, a linkage unit including a plurality of links, said links being obliquely positioned and pivotally interconnected to form at least one substantially vertically disposed open frame, the upper end of the linkage unit being adapted to be piv-otally suspended from a support, a load-carrying unit connected to the lower end of the linkage unit, actuating means connected to the linkage unit for elfecting vertical extension and contraction thereof, said actuating means comprising rotary driving means pivotally connected to at least one of the links, means including a rod connected to the driving means and pivotally connected to at least one other link, and means responsive to rotary movement of the driving means for imparting longitudinal movement to the rod, and means responsive to variations in a condition of a load that is adapted to act on the load-carrying unit, such as variations in the force applied to the load-carrying unit, for alternately placing the driving means into and out of active service.

4. A support device according to claim 3 wherein the driving means is pivotally connected to at least one link of the frame and the rod is pivotally connected to at least one other link of the frame.

5. In a support device of the character described, a pantograph unit comprising a plurality of links, said links being pivotally interconnected to form a series of vertically disposed open frames that are vertically extensible and contractible in unison, each frame including an upper pivotal connection and a lower pivotal connection between corresponding links, the axes of said upper and lower pivotal connections of rail frames being substantially parallel and vertically aligned, a loadacarrying unit connected to one end of the pantograph unit, the other end of the pantograph unit being adapted to be connected to a support, actuating means for eflecting extension and contraction of the pantograph unit, said actuating means comprising rotary driving means pivotally connected to one of the links, means including a rod connected to the driving means and pivotally connected to another link, and means responsive to rotary movement of the driving means for imparting longitudinal movement to the rod, and means responsive to variations in a condition of a load that is adapted to act on the load-carrying unit, such as variations in the force applied to the load-carrying unit, for alternately placing the driving means into and out of active service.

6. A support device according to claim 5 wherein the driving means is pivotally connected to at least one link of one of the frames and the rod is pivotally connected to at least one other link of said one of the frames.

7. In a support device or" the character described, a pantograph unit comprising a plurality of links, said links being pivotally interconnected to form a series of vertically disposed open frames that are vertically extensible and contractible in unison, each frame including an upper pivotal connection and a lower pivotal connection between corresponding links, the axes of said upper and lower pivotal connections of all frames being substantially parallel and vertically aligned, the upper pivotal connection of the uppermost frame being adapted to be suspended froma support, a load-carrying unit connected to the lower pivotal connection of the lowermost frame, actuating means for effecting extension and contraction of the pantognaph unit, said actuating means comprising rotary driving means pivotally connected to one of the links, means including a rod connected to the driving means and pivot-ally connected to another link, and means responsive to rotary movement of the driving means for imparting longitudinal movement to the rod, and means responsive to variations in a condition of a load that is adapted to act on the load-carrying unit, such as variations in the force applied to the load-carrying unit, for alternately placing the driving means into and out of active service.

8. A support device according to claim 7 wherein the actuating means is disposed across one of the frames and wherein the driving means is pivotally connected to at least one link of said one of the frames and the rod is pivotally connected to at least one other link of said one of the frames.

9. A support device according to claim 8 wherein each frame of the pantograph unit is in the general form of 1a parallelogram.

10, A "support device according to claim 8 wherein each frame of the pantograph unit is in the general form of an equilateral panallelogram.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,248,730 Wood July 8, 1941 2,818,567 Oliver Jan. 7, 1958 2,945,551 Annin July 19, 1960 

1. IN A SUPPORT DEVICE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, A LINKAGE UNIT INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF LINKS, SAID LINKS BEING OBLIQUELY POSITIONED AND PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTED TO FORM AT LEAST ONE SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY DISPOSED OPEN FRAME, A LOAD-CARRYING UNIT CONNECTED TO ONE END OF THE LINKAGE UNIT, THE OTHER END OF THE LINKAGE UNIT BEING ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A SUPPORT, ACUATING MEANS CONNECTED TO THE LINKAGE UNIT FOR EFFECTING VERTICAL EXTENSION AND CONTRACTION THEREOF, SAID ACTUATING MEANS COMPRISING ROTARY DRIVING MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO AT LEAST ONE OF THE LINKS, MEANS INCLUDING A ROD CONNECTED TO THE DRIVING MEANS AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO AT LEAST ONE OTHER LINK, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO ROTARY MOVEMENT OF THE DRIVING MEANS FOR IMPARTING LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT TO THE ROD, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO VARIATIONS IN A CONDITION OF A LOAD THAT IS ADAPTED TO ACT ON THE LOAD-CARRYING UNIT, SUCH AS VARIATIONS IN THE FORCE APPLIED TO THE LOAD-CARRYING UNIT, FOR ALTERNATELY PLACING THE DRIVING MEANS INTO AND OUT OF ACTIVE SERVICE. 